advice from management: ADN or BSN
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hello! i was wondering what type of degree was the most sought after, and who better to ask than managers. so what do you recommend, ADN or BSN?... Read More

Jan 1, '04

My experience was similar to Anthony's. I graduated from an ASN Program 7 years ago, passed my boards and began working. I received my BSN in August of 2003 and I'm currently in an MSN Program. I started at the ASN level because I was working full-time and had family commitments, but I feel that I received a good education and went on to become a competent nurse. If the BSN was mandatory for entry-level nursing, I believe that the nursing shortage would increase. Many people are unable to commit to 4-year programs due to family and/or financial reasons, so they choose the convenience of a 2-year program. I love nursing, and I am advancing my education to open the door for future growth within our profession.

Mar 10, '04

Quote from NemoRN

BSN, thats me and I was hired on the spot.......... and I only have 3 years total exper.

ALL NURSES get hired on the spot......there is a huge shortage

Mar 10, '04

Quote from Bunggie

Personally I believe that a Masters should be entry level for nursing. If Physical Therapists require this, then certainly Registered Nurses should. And, yes I do have a Masters.

Hey, kudos for you! Glad you have a Masters!
And....what type of nursing do you do???? Work at the bedside??

PT's make a significantly higher salary in most areas than RN's...and since bedside RN's way outnumber PT's, I think it unlikely you will ever see this as a requirement, nor do I (and many others in the profession )feel it should be entry level.

The general populus often feel like it is because the nurses salaries have increased that their healthcare is so expensive!! (really...ask them....)
How many masters prepared bedside RN's do you think would actually still be at the bedside working for the SAME WAGES as an ADN....and how much of a pay increase would that require for every nurse out there, and how much would that add to the rising cost of healthcare???

I think your suggestion is unreasonable. I think it is great if you chose a masters degree for your career path. Many positions require that level of a degree; such as advanced practice nursing programs, or universities for teaching purposes.

May 8, '04

Quote from yupyup5

I can't help but respond to some of the bitter messages...no matter how you look at it, how you slice it, what the arguements are, BSN prepared nurses are "PREPARED" differently than Associate degree nurses. Once the BSN prepared nurses become comfortable with their technical skills, they shine.

Not always. Experience has something to do with it too. I think a ADN with years of experience (10 years to 30++) can be better in management than a fairly new (though comfortable with her technical skills) BSN working a year or a few years.

May 8, '04

I've never worked anywhere where a management position didn't require a BSN. But I've only worked two places. The first place all managers were Master's prepared.
The minimum requirement for management should be a BSN in my opinion.

I'm not going to get into the who is a better nurse debate, except to say that with my ADN I still shine!

I have no objection to making the minimum standard for future nurses at the bedside a BSN however.